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Definition of close encounter in US English:

close encounter

noun

A supposed encounter with a UFO or with aliens.

‘All that is about to change when Roy has a close encounter with something he cannot explain.’

‘I live in the mid-west and have had a few occurrences of the paranormal nature in the past few years, never really experienced them before in my life and have been seeking someone to enlighten me on these close encounters.’

‘A group of children playing in Littleborough reckon they have had a close encounter with a UFO.’

‘As he grows up he begins to believe that he had a close encounter, and other events in his life seem to support that.’

‘Among the files to be released are documents dealing with Britain's most high-profile recentish close encounters, UFO sightings in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in 1980.’

‘Together, they have collected thousands of local eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings and other close encounters.’

‘The book is full of local flavour and includes stories of ghosts, witchcraft and mermaids, close encounters, poltergeists and alien big cats.’

‘The opportunity to have a close encounter with an otherworldly spirit brought visitors by the hundreds.’

‘Will there be close encounters of the alien kind?’

Phrases

close encounter of the first (or second etc.) kind

Used to describe encounters involving increasing degrees of complexity and apparent exposure of the witness to aliens, with the first kind being a mere sighting and the fourth kind being abduction.

‘I need some expert advice on a vision or potential close encounter of the first kind.’

‘Of the 5,254 reported UFO sightings since 1989, 35 are close encounters of the fourth kind.’

‘A year later, after spending countless hours trying to bond with his father, he has a close encounter of the third kind.’

‘Did dozens of people experience a close encounter of the first kind?’

‘Many people think that this equation actually proves the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence and some even believe that a close encounter of the third kind could be just around the corner.’

‘I'm trying my best to keep a serious face while John goes on about his close encounters of the third kind.’